Since the start of the season, Arber Xhekaj has shown that he is not afraid of anyone in the NHL. The team’s young defender, found by Marc Bergevin a little over a year ago, has climbed the ranks of the organization at lightning speed and is physically formidable.
And tonight, Xhekaj decided to go following a true heavyweight, as he threw down the gloves once morest the fearsome Zack Kassian. And in the end, it was the young defenseman who had the upper hand by sending the Coyotes forward to the floor.
He’s not afraid of anyone, clearly.
Arber Xhekaj is a beast ???????? pic.twitter.com/wypwVBFIm5
— Gino Hard (@Ginohard_) October 20, 2022
And clearly, the youngster celebrated accordingly, he who took the opportunity to get the crowd up. Althoughwith three goals in the first half of the periodlet’s say he didn’t have a lot of work to do at this level.
What a reaction from Xhekaj following his fight once morest Kassian. ???? @BPMSportsRadio pic.twitter.com/ZlKtrUlkZK
— Kevin Vallee (@KevinMVallee) October 20, 2022
Note also that Kassian retreated to the locker room following the fight, he who seemed to hurt his finger. He’s made strong, the kid.
Perhaps Zack stopped early cuz this… pic.twitter.com/O2UZKGnPxO
— Agent Q. (@lotzof_gas) October 20, 2022
Xhekaj, whom Chris Wideman calls Wi-Fi due to the complexity of his last name (a great nickname, by the way), took advantage of his first fight to inflict a correction on one of the most feared guys in the Bettman circuit. Talk to Samuel Montembeault and Jeff Petry.
Remember that the young man, who was not drafted, is clearly the surprise at CH in the last year, he who went from a professional trial to the camp last year (he who then worked in a Costco) to a place in the Canadian brigade at the start of the season. And so far, it doesn’t look too bad.
In short, a big statement from young Xhekaj tonight. He’s already a crowd favorite, but let’s say with footage like that, he’s only helping his cause.
UPDATE : Kassian returned to the bench at the start of the second period. More fear than harm, therefore.
Prolongation
It was the first fight of Xhekaj’s career, but the 39th of Kassian’s career. Between you and me though, it was Xhekaj who looked more like the seasoned veteran in this fight, hehe.
According to https://t.co/PiXTrAaUHV that first-period fight was the 39th in his NHL career for the Coyotes’ Zack Kassian. It was the first for the #Habs Arber Xhekaj, who beat Kassian badly. He is one tough kid. #HasIO
– Stu Cowan (@ StuCowan1) October 20, 2022
